Gaylord man pleads in Tuscarora CSC

Nowak was arrested by Tuscarora Township Police April 30 after he was accused in a case involving a 7-year-old girl. Court records state that the girl's mother found comments written by her daughter that detailed the alleged abuse by Nowak. The mother then reported the evidence to police. Nowak was staying at the residen...

Peter Michael Nowak, 23, was arraigned May 2 on individual counts of criminal sexual conduct with a person under 13 in the first and second degrees.

Nowak entered a no contest plea Tuesday to one count of third-degree criminal sexual conduct. A no contest plea means that Nowak did not admit guilt but is willing to accept the punishment as if he were found guilty in the case. He cited potential civil liability as the reason for his plea. The first-degree criminal sexual conduct charge was dropped as part of the agreement.

Nowak was arrested by Tuscarora Township Police April 30 after he was accused in a case involving a 7-year-old girl. Court records state that the girl's mother found comments written by her daughter that detailed the alleged abuse by Nowak. The mother then reported the evidence to police.

Nowak was staying at the residence after undergoing "roommate problems" at his previous home.

A sentencing date of Dec. 18 has been set in the case. He could be sentenced to a minimum of 100 months to a maximum of 15 years with the Michigan Department of Corrections.